Judge Hits 50th Homer for Yankees, Joins 5th Player with 3 Times

NEW YORK — In an impressive display of power, Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge hit his 50th home run of the season during a game against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday. This notable achievement took place in the first inning, as Judge connected with a 0-2 changeup thrown by Rockies pitcher Austin Gomber, sending the ball into the visiting bullpen located in left-center field.

This homer not only helped the Yankees take a 2-1 lead in the game but also marked the 18th time Judge has gone deep in the first inning this season. With this accomplishment, he ties with Alex Rodriguez, who set the major league record in 2001 for most first-inning home runs in a single season.

With his 50th home run, Judge joins an elite group of players who have achieved at least three 50-homer seasons in their careers. The list of players includes legends such as Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, and Babe Ruth. Each of these players has a storied history of sluggers, making Judge’s achievement all the more significant.

Rodriguez, for instance, achieved this feat twice while playing for Texas in 2001 and 2002, and he hit 54 home runs during his time with the Yankees in 2007. On the other hand, Sosa managed to hit 50 or more home runs for four straight seasons from 1998 to 2001. McGwire also held a similar record, having tallied multiple 50-homer seasons from 1996 to 1999, highlighted by his remarkable 70-home run season in 1998.

Babe Ruth, a baseball icon, recorded back-to-back seasons with at least 50 home runs in both 1920 and 1921, and again in 1927 and 1928, all while playing for the Yankees. Notably, Ruth was the first player to hit 60 home runs in a single season in 1927, a record that stood for 34 years until Roger Maris surpassed it by hitting 61 home runs for the Yankees in 1961. Just last year, Judge himself set a new standard by breaking Maris’ long-held single-season American League record, finishing with 62 home runs in 2022.

This season, Judge’s performance has been consistently remarkable. Two years ago, he also hit his 50th home run in what was New York’s 129th game of the season while playing against the Los Angeles Angels, courtesy of a pitch by reliever Ryan Tepera. This year’s milestone is a testament to Judge’s continued prowess at the plate and his ability to deliver under pressure.

As the season progresses, spectators and fans are eager to see if Judge can continue his impressive run and possibly add to his home run tally. His remarkable achievements not only highlight his individual talent but also play a crucial role in the Yankees’ pursuit of playoff success. With each machine-like swing, Judge continues to prove why he is one of the premier hitters in the game today.